Tom Evans Column -- Peyton is free agent; who would've thought?

Published 6:24 am, Friday, April 6, 2012

Photo: FR123854 AP

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Quarterback Peyton Manning listens to a question during a news conference in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Manning's record-breaking run as quarterback of the Colts ended Wednesday, when owner Jim Irsay announced the team would release its best player. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Quarterback Peyton Manning listens to a question during a news conference in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Manning's record-breaking run as quarterback of the Colts ended Wednesday, when owner Jim

On Wednesday a phrase was uttered that few fans of professional football ever thought they would hear: Peyton Manning is a free agent.

While some people -- especially those in Indiana -- consider Manning's release by the Indianapolis Colts to be sacrilege or heresy or just a huge mistake, consider Sal Tessio's final words to Tom Hagen in The Godfather (paraphrased for this situation): "Tell Peyton it was only business. I always like him."

And I realize I'm clearly mixing my metaphor when I point out that Tessio ended up swimming with the fishes, while Manning may end up re-starting his career as another sea creature -- a Miami Dolphin (for those readers who have forgotten elementary school biology, dolphins are mammals, not fish).

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Miami makes sense for several reasons, including a new head coach, some offensive weapons in Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall, and a decent, young defense.

Manning will also not be the biggest sports celebrity in South Beach, as long as LeBron James and DeWayne Wade are still trying to win NBA championships for the Heat.

A good season for the Miami Marlins will take some pressure off Manning and the 'Phins at least until October.

Pundits have also put Manning in New York with the Jets, but this one seems less likely as the days go by -- but not for lack of effort from bombastic head coach Rex Ryan.

Ryan looks at his team as a win-now group, and after the late-season meltdown of 2011, the head coach wouldn't hesitate to plug a healthy Manning into that bunch of malcontents to try and provide some stability and consistency.

Manning won't want to be part of the media circus of sharing the Big Apple and its back-page tabloids with is younger brother, Eli, so don't bet on this marriage taking place.

Arizona seems a pretty safe bet to land arguably the biggest prize in the 20 years of free agency. The Phoenix area is a relatively small market, they have one of the NFL's elite receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, and the defense and special teams are young and aggressive, led by dynamic playmaker Patrick Peterson.

The climate-controlled stadium in Glendale, Ariz., can't hurt the aging QB who has put up most of his eye-popping numbers indoors.

Another possible destination for the future Hall of Famer is Seattle, a franchise that reportedly has outstanding facilities, a delirious fan base, a less-than-voracious media, no quarterback to speak of, and a head coach in Pete Carroll who puts a whole new spin on the words positive and upbeat.

Apparently Kansas City is not completely enamored with quarterback Matt Cassel, and Manning could slide into another warm, fuzzy, fan-friendly environment with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs and new head coach Romeo Crennel have a solid offensive line, good running backs, some excellent, young receivers, and an up-and-coming defense. Manning could own Arrowhead Stadium with a couple of deep playoff runs.

One more intriguing franchise has popped up recently in the Manning sweepstakes -- the Denver Broncos. Word is president/general manager John Elway is not totally sold on quarterback Tim Tebow, and the prospect of Manning as mentor for the raw signal-caller might be more than the Broncos can pass up.

Heck, with all that Tebow can do, maybe Manning can throw to Tebow in some packages. Tebow is built like a tight end, after all, and Denver is not exactly loaded at the skill positions.

So the race for Manning is about to get serious, all dependent on his health, of course. If his nerve regeneration allows him to throw all his passes, he will help some team immensely.

Manning avoided all the hits last season, so he will be fresh and ready to go for his new franchise, which I believe will be the Arizona Cardinals.

What this also means is that projected first overall draft pick Andrew Luck out of Stanford will have the Colts all to himself come September.

Those are some mighty big shoes -- and a mighty big stadium -- to fill. Just ask the Man(ning) who filled them (and built the stadium) for the past 14 years.